Father held in stabbing death of 12-year-old

BENTON HARBOR -- A 60-year-old Benton Harbor man was being held without bond Monday in the Berrien County Jail after he allegedly stabbed to death his 12-year-old daughter. Albert Ellington, of 1113 Hurd Ave., was arraigned Monday by Berrien Trial Court Judge Charles LaSata on an open charge of murder. A preliminary exam was set for March 30. The victim was identified as Albertnisha Ellington. She was stabbed in the chest following an argument in the family's home shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday. Berrien Prosecutor James Cherry said the argument stemmed from "the usual stuff.'' "Girls talking on the phone, that kind of thing,'' he said. If found guilty, Ellington could serve the rest of his life in prison without the chance of parole. Benton Harbor police issued a statement identifying the murder weapon as a kitchen knife. Ambulance personnel and police who responded to a 911 call, apparently made by a neighbor from a nearby pay phone, found Albertnisha "with no signs of life,'' police said. Albert Ellington surrendered without incident, officers reported. Tony Randle, a neighbor who lives a block away on Hurd, said Albertnisha lived in the house with her father and a younger sister. The family had moved in only recently, he said, but it was common knowledge that Albertnisha and her father didn't get along. "He was having problems with his daughter, but I didn't know it was that big an issue,'' he said. Staff writer Lou Mumford: lmumford@sbtinfo.com (269) 687-7002